CITIZENS COMPASS—The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is making significant strides in Lagos politics as Rauf Aregbesola and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour actively seek to draw new members from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Labour Party (LP), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This coalition aims to challenge the longstanding dominance of the APC in the upcoming 2027 presidential and gubernatorial elections in the state.
The recent meeting between Aregbesola, the national secretary of the ADC, and Rhodes-Vivour, the former LP gubernatorial candidate, signals a strategic partnership. This collaboration is designed to mobilize grassroots support and unite opposition forces against the APC.
Aregbesola and Rhodes-Vivour are focusing on grassroots mobilization, with intentions to attract supporters from both the APC and the LP. Their goal is to ensure that the next Governor of Lagos State is not an APC member, signaling a desire for a political revolution in the state.
The ongoing discussions reflect a wider sentiment among some Lagosians, notably voiced by the De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, which advocates for leadership that reflects the local populace. Rhodes-Vivour, as an indigene of Lagos Island, is well positioned as a spokesperson for the cultural and developmental aspirations of local residents.
Reports suggest that Rhodes-Vivour is poised to officially defect to the ADC, a move anticipated amid a streamlining of pro-Obidient supporters leaving the LP. This shift may further consolidate ADC’s strength as it seeks to unify opposition around shared goals.
The concerted efforts between Aregbesola and Rhodes-Vivour aim to dismantle the APC’s 28-year governance in Lagos State, appealing to a collective yearning for change among the electorate.
A growing disillusionment with current political structures is creating an environment ripe for the ADC. Aregbesola expresses a vision for an ADC that is ideologically robust, contrasting sharply with opponents he argues are characterized by a lack of clear principles.
The ADC’s rapid ascendance is causing concern within the APC and the current administration of President Bola Tinubu. With key figures from various parties rallying around the ADC, including political heavyweights like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and various past governors, the political climate in Lagos is increasingly volatile.
As the ADC continues to gain momentum and reshape its narrative, the political landscape in Lagos State is set for an intense transformation.
The unity between Aregbesola and Rhodes-Vivour, coupled with a clear focus on grassroots mobilization and local identity, positions the ADC as a formidable challenger in the 2027 elections. The outcome of these efforts will be pivotal, not just for Lagos State, but for the broader political trajectory of Nigeria.
